[Immunomorphological study of the structural proteins of the aortic wall in experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits]

Destruction of elastic and collagenous fibers in lipid spots and atherosclerotic plaques in rabbit experimental atherosclerosis is associated with exposure of previously latent antigenous determinants of structural arterial proteins and appearance of circulating antibodies to collagen, elastin and structural glycoproteins. By the 4th month of the experiment there is an abrupt decrease in the titres of the above antibodies fixed to degeneratively altered fibrous structures of the aortal wall. Sedimentation of circulatory antivascular antibodies is associated with the enhanced destruction of collagenous and elastic fibers, with proliferation of the connective tissue and dramatic progress of the atherosclerotic process.